About Carla White

Carla White is a freelance writer, public relations/marketing consultant and event organizer based in Ensenada, Baja, California. Carla and her husband Jim moved to Baja in 2003 from the Los Angeles area believing that, thanks to the internet and satellite communications, they could continue working from home while enjoying a richer, more affordable lifestyle. So far, they’ve been right. Connect with Carla Google+

Breathing, concentration and fun: Anyone who has consciously experienced these three things all at once would agree that the feeling might be described as a moment of bliss. These are the basic objectives of the latest trend, Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga, according to those who teach the practice.

Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga

Society has always had a wonderful way of adapting and transforming ancient practices and philosophies to fit modern mentality and desires. The practice of Yoga is a great example! How interesting it is that the oldest yoga texts which document this spiritual practice describe it mainly as a practice of meditation. These writings note that the main goal of the practice is to control the fluctuation of thoughts in order to awaken true awareness; additionally, the belief was and remains that by mastering the mind through a deeper understanding of natural laws, people can avoid illness and suffering. Basically, the precept is that yoga helps us see things as they really are, and find peace within the fact (and even though) that we are always changing.

What better place to practice Stand UP Paddle Board Yoga than in beautiful Baja?

In the past, yoga practice consisted of long periods sitting in stillness, breathing, focusing, observing the sensations of the body, mastering the mind. Yogis were so eager to reach the state of enlightenment that, in order to be able to stay sitting still longer, they developed body poses (asanas) to eradicate the discomfort felt by the body to enhance its flexibility, improve blood circulation, balance organ function and help detoxify cellular activity. The physical benefits were outstanding, but only a bi-product of the real goal: to experience true happiness.

Though consciousness is always evolving, in today’s society, physicality seems to be the priority. Our modern mentality places more importance on the “How I look” aspect rather than the “How I feel,” and as a result yoga is mostly seen as a sport. Nonetheless, its true beauty always shines; it really does not matter what makes you want to practice yoga — as long as you do practice it for whatever reason, you will eventually experience its original goal of true happiness.

I only recently discovered that there is a sport out there called Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga. Stand Up Paddle boarding or SUP is a low impact sport that strengthens the core, tones every muscle and gets you on the water enjoying nature. Women paddlers who love the ocean and are regular yoga practitioners find a perfect yoga mat in their paddle board.

SUP instructor Pam Avila explains it like this: “I think the biggest challenge when you practice yoga is ‘living in the moment’. Sometimes concentration can be really difficult, but when you are practicing yoga on a stand up paddle board you are 100 percent focused on what are you doing. The whole environment helps — the sun, the little waves on your board, the mountains around you. All these factors help to really concentrate on trying to hold the posture longer, to focus on your breathing and also keep your balance.”

Stand Up Paddle Board yoga is about achieving balance, mentally and physically.

When you visit Baja, if you are looking for a fun water activity that really makes you work the core, and at the same time gives you physical, mental and spiritual harmony, this is the right one! SUP Mexico is not just a store where you can find the best paddle boards brands on the market. They also give SUP, SURF and SUP Yoga lessons, summer camps and trips to the most important break points and SUP sites that our beautiful Baja offers. Give them a call at 624 172 6046 from Mexico or 310 909 8533 from the USA. Or visit their websites at www.mexicosup.com or www.supmexicoclassic.com. You can also follow them on Facebook / SUP Mexico and Twitter @ supmexico

Go SUP Mexico and SUP Anywhere you can!!!

After getting your yoga fix, want to know the best Baja restaurants to visit during the holiday season? Find out on Baja.com!

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about localrestaurants, hotels andvacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com.

No need to fly thousands of miles on an airplane just to have the experience of riding a camel. Camels in Cabo — and riding on them — are now a desert dream-come-true! Now anyone can ‘rent’ a camel in Cabo San Lucas and have a ride of a lifetime.

Camels in Cabo? A desert dream comes true on the Baja Peninsula.

There are several companies offering camel rides, one of them being Cabo Adventures that takes small groups on the desert dream trek. The only restriction is that you be at least six years of age and weigh no more than 265 pounds. The tour beings at the Cabo Adventures location at the Dolphin Center in Cabo San Lucas. Trips are offered seven days per week, 9 a.m.-noon, and sometimes at 3 p.m. according to Maria Ines Brito, marketing manager for the operation. The journey takes about 4.5 hours.

According to Maria, Cabo Adventures takes extra precautions for every customer’s safety. She said, “We innovate, to make each customer have a wonderful experience each day, and one that will result in being a lifetime experience.” It begins when adventurers of the Lawrence of Arabia ilk get into one of the company’s off-road Unimogs — trucks and are driven deep into the heart of the Baja outback. Upon arriving at embarkation point, there is a huge sense of anticipation that excites adults and children, alike.

Arabia or Baja? Camels in Cabo offer a uniquely different travel experience.

Aside from the spectacular views, each visitor has his or her own knowledgeable guide, who ensure safety and lots of knowledge about camels in Cabo. Getting onto the camel, which could be daunting to some, is not a problem. There is a platform for you to climb on and the guide offers assistance. After riding through the outback, visitors enjoy an idyllic jaunt in Rancho San Cristobal. This beach ride is unlike anything else — right out of a movie. If taking this camel excursion during the winter months, the guide will advise you to keep an eye out for humpback whales. These whales often swim past the ranch.

Up front and personal with camels in cabo!

There are two types of camels. You will be riding the one hump which is called the Arabic camel. They live in western Asia although they are being brought to specific areas in North America to which they adapt well. These particular eight camels, owned by Cabo Adventures, are actually from Texas. Camels have some amazing abilities. For example, they are capable of living for weeks without food or water. Their hump is actually filled with fat which allows them to use this when needed. When camels take a drink of water it takes them awhile to fill their needs as they consume about 40 gallons at one time.

During the last part of the excursion, camel-riders stop at a local ranch where they are served a traditional Mexican meal which includes hand-made tortillas, beans, drinks, and salsas. Following the meal, the return trip to Cabo San Lucas offers fabulous views with outstanding photo opportunities of the Baja desert. You will need photos, after all: You will need to prove that your stories about your unbelievable vacation, and camels in cabo, are true!

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com.